Looks like Kris missed the bus again

[Buzz Killington]

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/08/auburns_jake_holland_the_start.html

Auburn's Jake Holland the starter at linebacker after consistent, productive camp


AUBURN, Alabama -- When the month of August began, Jake Holland knew he had work to do.


Holland, a two-year starter with 16 career starts under his belt, opened camp second on the depth chart at middle linebacker behind talented sophomore Kris Frost.

The senior responded with the best camp of his career.

"Jake's been the most consistent, for sure," defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "The two legitimate scrimmages that we had, Jake just had more production, had more tackles, more plays, had a pick, hasn’t had as many missed tackles, he’s cut those down."

Holland has 125 tackles in his career at Auburn, including 73 a year ago, but he has struggled to be an impact playmaker in his time as a starter.

Part of the problem has been a never-ending battle with injuries, beginning with ankle injuries and a torn bicep as a sophomore and extending to a bulging vertebrae in his neck last season.

He's also played for three defensive coordinators in the past three years at the defense's most complicated position.

Auburn's new 4-2-5 scheme made the role a lot more simple. Instead of a complicated system, Johnson's calls require a single word, freeing the defense -- and particularly the linebackers -- to make a call and then focus on playing the down.

"Coming off last year, it's definitely a different feel," Holland said. "Our calls and adjustments, we're able to get them in really fast and play really fast. That's allowing us to make plays."

Holland also spent the summer trimming his body fat from 14 percent to 12 percent, a key for a 240-pound player who has struggled at times in pursuit.

During his sophomore season, Holland made two interceptions, and he wanted to be effective in coverage again.

Making an interception in the Tigers' first scrimmage was a signal that he feels more comfortable dropping into a zone and finding the football.

"I got a little pick," Holland said after the scrimmage. "We were doing a little blitz in red zone. I was a hole player, I was spying the quarterback. I got lucky because he threw it right to me."

Holland's efforts landed him the starting job, although Frost is still expected to play significant snaps in Johnson's rotation at the position.

His consistency earned him the role.

Now, with the season-opener only a week away, it's time for Holland to transfer that consistent play to the Jordan-Hare Stadium turf.

[ssgaufan]

 

So Frost is kinda like El Toro? 

[AUChizad]

Bold prediction: Jake Holland will lead the team in tackles. Puts up monster numbers.

I admit, I'm moderately annoyed by everyone that's 100% sure he cannot possibly perform well because their mind is made up from last year.

SLATE CLEAN. NEW DAY.

If Gus thinks he's the guy, he's the guy.

[Tiger Wench]

If Gus thinks he's the guy, Gus had no other alternatives including the water boy.

Fixt.

 

[WiregrassTiger]

Really, all bs aside-- all we can do is hope that the new scheme, coaching and off season work gives us a 180 in his play. Can't say I'm completely surprised by this. I think even last years coaches were capable of putting the best players on the field.

[GH2001]

Bold prediction: Jake Holland will lead the team in tackles. Puts up monster numbers.

I admit, I'm moderately annoyed by everyone that's 100% sure he cannot possibly perform well because their mind is made up from last year.

SLATE CLEAN. NEW DAY.

If Gus thinks he's the guy, he's the guy.

Been saying this a while. If he performs like shit again I'll be on the bandwagon. But right now, clean slate. And instead of getting mad at him, how's about everyone critique Frost for how bad he must suck.

[Godfather]

Bold prediction: Jake Holland will lead the team in tackles. Puts up monster numbers.

I admit, I'm moderately annoyed by everyone that's 100% sure he cannot possibly perform well because their mind is made up from last year.

SLATE CLEAN. NEW DAY.

If Gus thinks he's the guy, he's the guy.

I think Frost will be starting by game 3.  I think Jake is a good practicer.  Sometimes a guy can be all world in practice and stink in games, conversely there are guys that are just gamers.

I was with you last summer.  Everyone was missing Bynes. I thought Jake was going to come in and do well for us.  IMO I don't think he has the speed.

[ssgaufan]

Bold prediction: Jake Holland will lead the team in tackles. Puts up monster numbers.

I admit, I'm moderately annoyed by everyone that's 100% sure he cannot possibly perform well because their mind is made up from last year.

SLATE CLEAN. NEW DAY.

If Gus thinks he's the guy, he's the guy.

I'm moderately annoyed by eveyone that thinks he is going to be an All SEC type of linebacker now.  The guy just doesn't have that killer instinct in him.

[AUTailgatingRules]

According to the article above, Jake layed down on top of 73 piles last year.  I sure don't remember that.

[Snaggletiger]

Slowest LB on the field.  By a lot.  I honestly think Frost is mildly retarded.

[AUChizad]

I'm moderately annoyed by eveyone that thinks he is going to be an All SEC type of linebacker now.  The guy just doesn't have that killer instinct in him.

Where is this bandwagon?

[Buzz Killington]

According to the article above, Jake layed down on top fell down in front of 73 piles last year.  I sure don't remember that.

fixt

[ssgaufan]

Slowest LB on the field.  By a lot.  I honestly think Frost is mildly retarded.

Nah, if that was the case he'd be at alabama.

[Godfather]

Slowest LB on the field.  By a lot.  I honestly think Frost is mildly retarded.

I'm betting Lazy.

[ssgaufan]

Where is this bandwagon?

Who said bandwagon?

[Tiger Wench]

According to the article above, Jake layed down on top of 73 piles last year.  I sure don't remember that.

Except the ones that he was on the bottom of because he tripped and fell down.

I think he panics under pressure.  Practice is one thing.  Stopping an SEC caliber player running at full speed is another thing entirely.  It's like test anxiety - no matter how hard you study, you freeze and freak out when the test hits your desk.

If Auburn football was the SAT, Jake would make a 5.

[Godfather]

Where is this bandwagon?

At your house apparently.

[Saniflush]

At your house apparently.

No that's the party....in his mouth.....everybody is cumming.

[Tiger Wench]

No that's the party....in his mouth.....everybody is cumming.

And if Jake is blocking, everyone is going right past too.

[Buzz Killington]

Honestly, it may be that he froze with the complexity of the stache's calls last season.  Maybe with easier calls and reads, he will be a monster.